John Dowling
Hooker
Player Bio
- Date of Birth:
- 03 April 1953
- Birthplace:
- Murwillumbah, Queensland
- Origin Debut:
- 01 June 1982
- Venue:
- Lang Park, Brisbane
Career
Achievements
- Debut game: June 1, 1982 - Lang Park, Brisbane
Career Statistics
- Games
- 3
- Tries
- 0
- Points
- 0
Biography
An old school hooker, John Dowling epitomised the toughness required in the ruck and scrums in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dowling grew up at Murwillumbah in the Tweed Valley of New South Wales, where his father Pat was a legendary forward.
Pat played for Murwillumbah High School Old Boys, and then helped found the Brothers' club, which made the grand final in its debut season, 1958, under captain-coach, Paul Broughton.
Dowling played in under 16 and under 18 teams for Brothers before moving to Brisbane with his older brother, Garry, to play for Easts, where he was understudy to inaugural Origin hooker, John Lang.
It was an absolute honour to be selected for Queensland, and to play alongside the likes of Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga.
John Dowling FOG #26
Dowling switched to Wynnum Manly, and helped the club to the finals in 1975, where they eliminated Easts in the first week. Dowling represented Brisbane against France in 1977.
Legendary St George, coach, Queenslander Harry Bath brought Dowling to Sydney in 1979, and 'JD' racked up 117 first grade matches.
Dowling created history when he became the only hooker to ever receive a perfect 10/10 Rugby League Week rating - in 1980 against North Sydney, on a day when he also kicked five goals from as many shots.
Dowling played all three matches in the first Origin series in 1982, but missed the chance to tour Britain and France with the Kangaroos because of a knee injury.
He returned to Brisbane in 1985 to play with Norths, He finished his career as captain-coach of Tweed Coast Raiders.
Dowling became a stalwart of the Burleigh Bears Juniors and his grandson, Jamie Dowling played for the Titans.
Former Origin Greats
Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.